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Anthony Bourdain vs. Paula Deen: Who 'peed in his cereal'? [Poll]

August 19, 2011 | 11:36
am

Celebrity chefs Paula Deen and Anthony Bourdain have never met, Deen said Friday, and she wonders what got into the Travel Channel chef -- or into his cereal -- that prompted the fighting words Bourdain threw down recently for the print version of TV Guide.

"The worst, most dangerous person to America is clearly Paula Deen," Bourdain told the mag. "She revels in unholy connections with evil corporations and she's proud of the fact that her food is ... bad for you. ... Plus, her food sucks."

OK, then -- someone doesn't like mama's cooking? Yes and no. He'd clarified Thursday on Twitter that "my comment was actually 'worst, most dangerous to America cook on [Food Network]."

Butter fan Deen had addressed Bourdain's Food Network attack Thursday as well, telling Page Six, "You know, not everybody can afford to pay $58 for prime rib or $650 for a bottle of wine. My friends and I cook for regular families who worry about feeding their kids and paying the bills."

She moved on Friday to "Fox & Friends" (see below), explaining further that she "was actually kinda shocked, considering I have never met Anthony. I was really shocked that such harsh words could be used."

"I don't know if it was a publicity thing or if someone had just peed in his bowl of cereal that morning and he was mad."

Though we're guessing Deen won't have to set an extra place at her table for Bourdain any time soon, he might already be taking her advice to "wiggle around" certain questions in interviews -- this after he'd eagerly jumped in with both unfettered feet about Food Network folks Guy Fieri, Sandra Lee and Rachael Ray as well.

"Resolved: Next time I'm asked [for the millionth time] who the worst cooks on Food Network are, I'll just shut up," he said Wednesday on Twitter. "Who cares?"